Grand County’s staff and elected officials are worried their budget will take a huge hit during Utah’s 2023 legislative session. Rep. Phil Lyman is entertaining repealing HB 247 (2021), which allows Grand County to spend more transient room tax dollars on tourism mitigation. If the bill is repealed, the county estimates a loss of $900,000 currently budgeted to law enforcement, search and rescue, and more. “I can’t hardly think of another bit of state legislation that could be more harmful,” said strategic development director Chris Baird. Plus, our radio partners report on wet weather in the Colorado River Basin and an EPA public hearing on a proposed rule to reduce oil and gas methane pollution.

// Show Notes:

// Grand County Discussion Points Regarding HB 247 (2021) https://civicclerk.blob.core.windows.net/stream/GRANDCOUNTYUT/e39a64bd-fad9-4aff-9783-55c4c0e55a37.pdf?sv=2021-10-04&st=2023-01-16T17%3A27%3A07Z&se=2024-01-16T17%3A32%3A07Z&sr=b&sp=r&sig=%2BBc6mU1uiLk0FBuSW75AerfO8x2o40ntf8SEjqCqxl4%3D

// HB 247 Transient Room Tax Amendments

https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/HB0247.html

// EPA Proposes to Strengthen Air Quality Standards to Protect the Public from Harmful Effects of Soot

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-strengthen-air-quality-standards-protect-public-harmful-effects-soot